Here are three candidates that are likely to be still under consideration.

Candidate: Frank AnzaloneResume: Coached Lake Superior State from 1982-1990, then again from 2001-2005. Won a national championship with the Lakers in 1987-88. Has coached in the ECHL, AHL and USHL as well. Why UMass should hire Anzalone: He brings a national championship ring to the table as a head coach, as well as a breadth of experience around the game. Oh, and he sported one of hockey's best mustaches back in the day.Why UMass should not hire Anzalone: That national championship happened before anyone he'll be recruiting was born, and the second go-around with the Lakers ended in disaster — in four years he was 32-97-20. Also, he apparently no longer has the mustache.

Candidate: Mike CavanaughResume: Spent the last 18 seasons as an assistant Boston College under Jerry York, whom he has been with since York coached at Bowling Green in the mid 90s.Why UMass should hire Cavanaugh: In nearly 20 years in Hockey East, Cavanaugh will bring some serious local knowledge to the table. He also brings the cachet of being a part of York's staff, which has won four national titles in Chestnut Hill.Why UMass should not hire Cavanaugh: Cynics will tell you Cavanaugh has interviewed for multiple jobs in Hockey East over the past few years, and there's got to be a reason he's still an assistant for York.

Candidate: Darren YopykResume: Played for Toot Cahoon at Princeton, was an assistant for a brief spell under Cahoon at UMass before returning to his native Canada, where he coached the BCHL's Westside Warriors. Yopyk is currently a scout for the Minnesota Wild.Why UMass should hire Yopyk: In the hockey world, Yopyk is considered a great mind (he graduated from Princeton and has a PhD from UMass). His youth could invigorate the program, and he could likely be had on the cheap, which should not be ignored since UMass is still paying Cahoon this season.Why UMass should not hire Yopyk: He has very little collegiate coaching experience, and most certainly is not a recognizable name.

There are still other names, such as Springfield's Gene Reilly, and former Maine legend Jim Montgomery still circulating the Internet rumor mill.

Ultimately, we'll have to wait and see, but we'll keep close tabs on the situation right here at MassLive.